PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Providence police say they’ve arrested nine people and seized cash and drugs after discovering illegally lottery and bookmaking operations at several businesses in the city.

Police announced Thursday that they executed search warrants for several locations last weekend and seized about $60,000, other items and paperwork associated with illegal gambling operations. Six people were arrested.

Authorities arrested three other people after executing a search warrant at another location and finding almost $8,800 and other evidence of illegal sports and numbers betting including computers and betting slips. Police are investigating whether the two gambling operations were related.

Police also obtained a search warrant for a site in Warwick and seized evidence of gambling and more than a quarter kilogram of the painkiller fentanyl worth an estimated $60,000 on the street.

“This operation not only puts a stop to an expansive illegal gambling syndicate, it also resulted in a sizable seizure of drugs which are known to contribute to countless deaths from overdose,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “I commend the Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit for their outstanding work to bring these complex criminal operations to justice.”

“I commend the Investigators in the Organized Crime and Intelligence Unit who are tasked with the challenging job of investigating organized criminal activity in our City,” said Colonel Hugh Clements.  “The Providence Police Department is committed to dismantling these illegal organizations and the announcement of today’s arrests should serve as a deterrent to criminals involved in these activities.”